asked the Minister for Education the date on which recognition as a national school will be restored to Newtown school which was amalgamated in September 1978 with the new Central School in Moycullen, County Galway.

My predecessor agreed in principle to the restoration of full recognition as an independent school to Newtown with effect from 1 September 1981, subject to consideration of matters of detail in relation to staffing and transport as applicable to the separate schools.

I intend to honour the commitment of my predecessor in this matter. The question of the appropriate staffing and school transport arrangements is at present receiving attention.

Would the Minister confirm that there was a change of policy on the part of the board of management at the central school at Moycullen and also that as a result of that, and taking into consideration a plea from the parents at Baile Nua, he took the steps that he has indicated in his reply?

I have acknowledged already that the former holder of the office has agreed in principle to the restoration of the full recognition of the school at Newtown. I agreed with that. The background to the situation is as outlined by the Deputy.

23.

asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed new national school for Gort, County Galway.

I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that the working drawings for the proposed new national school at Gort, County Galway, are nearing completion and that arrangements have been made for the preparation of the bill of quantities.